Kerry asks India to play greater role in Aghanistan, Iran negotiations

Apart from seeking the implementation of the civil nuclear deal and various other topics, US Secretary of State John Kerry today said that they looked to India to play a greater role in resolving issues between the US and nations like Afghanistan and Iran.

Emphasising that any talks with the Taliban, following the setting up of a political office in Qatar, would be process led by the Afghan people, Kerry said that the US would be briefing Indian authorities about the process.

Thanking India for its support in Afghanistan, Kerry said that were in touch with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

“This is an Afghan-led process,” Kerry said.

Noting that there were certain conditions to be met, like the Taliban severing ties from terror groups like the al-Qaeda, he said,” If these conditions are met, then negotiations will take place with the high peace council of Afghanistan.”

“It is better to explore the possibility of having a peaceful resolution if it is possible,” he said.

John Kerry and Salman Khurshid. AFP

He said he hoped that talks with the Taliban would provide “an avenue for the reduction of violence,” but in the event that it did not, the US was prepared to continue to train and equip Afghan armed forces well beyond 2014.

The US secretary of state, who is on his maiden visit to the country, said he is certain that India will encourage President Karzai to ensure all provisions are made for free, fair and transparent elections in Afghanistan.

“The people of Afghanistan need to see and feel that the elections are free and fair,” he said, adding that India needed to help it.

The US also expects India to convince the new leadership in Iran to prove to the world that its nuclear programme was indeed for peaceful purposes as claimed.

Kerry said that the US understood India’s relationship with Iran and hoped that India will urge the new leadership there not to “miscalculate” the US’ intention.

“We urge Iran to prove to the world that their peaceful nuclear programme is indeed peaceful. We hope India will help us, ” Kerry said.

He also said the US is looking forward to the early implementation of civil nuclear deal with India.

The two ministers said that they have had substantial discussions on tackling terrorism, joint ventures in space co-operation, defence, development, education, agriculture and health.

Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid said that he and US Secretary of John Kerry have struck a right note during the bilateral talks.

“We have so far done a lot of good work to keep the India-US relationship growing and on a personal note Kerry and I seem to have struck a right note,” Khurshid said.

He said that the two countries have exchanged 112 senior officials in high level visits with the US and both the countries will continue to build on the good work done so far.

Kerry reiterating Khurshid’s opinion on having struck the right note and said Vice President Joe Biden will visit India towards the end of July to strengthen ties between the two nations.